Niemeyer to retire as Village Manager
After seven highly productive years with the Village of Tinley Park, Village Manager Dave Niemeyer has announced he is retiring as an Illinois city manager. His final day as Village Manager will be Friday, Oct. 8.
“I have had an enjoyable and fulfilling 38-year career in Illinois local government, and I have been blessed to work with many great people over the years,” Niemeyer said. “Tinley Park is a wonderful, close-knit and passionate community, and I will always cherish the long-lasting relationships and friendships I have developed here.”
Niemeyer started with the Village in June 2014. During his tenure, he oversaw the development of three new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts, one of which was instrumental in bringing the Boulevard at Central Station project to fruition. He also oversaw funding new infrastructure to service other Downtown Tinley development and was instrumental in helping to revitalize two shopping centers, Pete’s and Brixmor, at 159thStreet and Harlem Avenue.
“Dave’s great leadership skills were on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he oversaw budget cuts that allowed us to trim our expenses while at the same time continuing to provide quality services to residents,” said Mayor Michael Glotz. “He also worked closely with businesses to help them weather the economic hardships caused by the pandemic.”
Niemeyer’s accomplishments also include bringing the Tinley Park Convention Center under new management, as well as navigating an expiring TIF district and Cook County law challenges to attract the EVEN Hotel brand to Tinley Park. He also supervised a new branding plan that focused on music, with the goal of attracting more development and revenue for Downtown Tinley.
“Dave also oversaw the development of not one but two comprehensive strategic plans, and was key in reorganizing the Community Development Department and engineering services so that we were better serving the public,” Glotz said. “Bringing engineering services in-house saved the Village several thousand dollars annually.”
Citizen outreach also improved under Niemeyer’s leadership, with the addition of televised board meetings, a plethora of new social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, the issuance of citizen surveys every three years, and the creation of the comprehensive Tinley Park Annual Report. During Niemeyer’s tenure, the Village also constructed the new Fire Station 47, purchased $6 million in new smart water meters, and negotiated an agreement with Will County for 80th Avenue widening and other needed improvements.
Before coming to the Village, Niemeyer was village manager of Oak Brook, Illinois from 2007 to 2014. Before that, he served as city manager of Des Plaines from 2003 to 2007, village manager of Homewood from 1998 to 2003, village manager of Richton Park from 1993 to 1998, village administrator for Orland Hills from 1988 to 1993, and city administrator and assistant to the mayor in Harvard, Illinois from 1986 to 1988.
Niemeyer received a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in 1983 and a Master of Public Administration degree in 1985, both from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
Niemeyer will start work as a local government executive recruiter.
“We’re sorry to see Dave go, but we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors,” Glotz said. “Dave is a hard worker, a great listener and a fantastic leader. He and his 38 years of experience will be missed.”
The Tinley Park Village Board is expected to name Assistant Village Manager Pat Carr as Niemeyer’s replacement.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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